There wasn't a dry eye in the studio as Strictly Come Dancing star Johannes Radebe paid tribute to his partner, tennis star, Annabel Croft during the live semi-finals. The pair, who were dancing for a place in next week's final, chose to perform a Viennese waltz for their second performance of the night.
When asked by presenter Claudia Winkleman why Annabel should get one of the much-sought-after final spots, Johannes delivered a heartfelt and poignant speech to his celebrity partner, who has been competing in the BBC series whilst grieving the loss of her husband Mel Coleman, who passed away earlier this year after a short battle with cancer.
Clearly emotional, Johannes said: "This woman has really respected our artform of ballroom and Latin. You have taken to training like a duck to water. Look how beautiful you are now because you are a beautiful swan darling."
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He added: "Now, when I tell you that this has been the hardest year for Annabel and we all know that, not only for her but for her family as well. Now what I applaud is the fact that through all of that she came here to learn how to dance and I can't tell you how proud I am of you.
"It's not about the glitterball, it's what you have given me. So, Annabel Croft, you have already won my heart so thank you."
Many of the cast of professionals gathered around them were in floods of tears as he finished his speech. In the messages shown from family and friends before the dance, Annabel's daughter told Johannes: "Thanks for looking after my mum".
Her other daughter said: "Dad would be so proud, right now" and Annabel's friends told her that her Strictly journey "may have eased just a little of your broken heart". Tennis star Tim Henman told her "We're all so proud of you, but not half as proud as Mel would be". Andrew Castle told her her scores were bigger than her forehand was in tennis.
Tess Daly said the pair had become "friends for life". They scored 33 points. Craig told her the dance was "thoroughly beautiful" and she was "amazing". Motsi said "it's so gentle and vulnerable but in a way I think shows strength". "I feel you should be so proud of yourself". For more showbiz and television stories, get our newsletter here.
